University of New Mexico men's soccer dropped its third consecutive match overall and sixth straight at home after succumbing to Loyola Marymount at the UNM Soccer Complex in overtime.
New Mexico (3-8, 1-2 C-USA) started the season with a promising 4-2 win over then-No. 22 Seattle, but the Lobos have failed to win a match on their home pitch since.
It has been a rare sight for the Lobos to even hold a lead during the current skid and even that didn't work out — UNM lost a halftime advantage the last time out after surrendering three goals in the final 45 minutes against Florida International en route to a 4-2 loss.
Loyola Marymount made the Lobos play from behind again on Tuesday, gaining the upper hand after sophomore midfielder Leo Zulli opened the scoring with a goal 16:37 into the match — his first goal of the season — to give the Lions an early 1-0 edge.
New Mexico got a few opportunities to equalize the score, but had several attempts go just high or wide of the net. UNM junior Ford Parker, who resumed goalkeeping duties in the team's last match, settled down after Loyola Marymount's first goal and kept the Lions at bay for most of the match.
There were not a ton of shots on goal, especially in the first half. The Lobos actually outshot the Lions 17-7 for the match, but held just a 5-4 advantage as the schools combined for a single-digit total in shots on goal for the match.
Both teams recorded one save in the opening half as Loyola Marymount continued to maintain its 1-0 lead at the break.
UNM eventually found the equalizer about midway through the second half. Sophomore forward Nick Taylor beat LMU goalkeeper Paul Lewis with an unassisted goal in the 64th minute to even things up at 1-1.
But the Lobos' chances of adding to that total took a serious hit after getting hit with a red card about a minute later. Antoine Vial was sent off at the 64:30 mark and UNM was forced to play the rest of the match down a man.
Head coach Jeremy Fishbein seemed to praise his group for their ability to climb out of the early deficit and expressed disappointment that the effort didn't result in a win.
"We had the game in hand but we keep making mental mistakes, just momentary mistakes, that affect the outcome of the games. I felt the guys deserved better tonight," Fishbein said in a release.
Both schools registered one shot on target after that point and both goalies were up to the task as regulation drew to a close with the teams still tied 1-1.
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Overtime didn't last long as sophomore forward Kris Fourcand made good on a penalty kick that was awarded less than 90 seconds into the period. His attempt was true, ending the match and lifting Loyola Marymount to a 2-1 victory.
The Lobos will head back out on the road to face University of Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
Robert Maler is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers basketball and baseball and contributes content for various other sports as well. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Robert_Maler.
